Position sensitive alarm with magnetic latching pendulum switch

ABSTRACT

An alarm device sounds an audio alarm when it is moved to a predetermined position. The alarm includes a magnetic latching pendulum switch which is normally open but which is closed to energize the alarm when the device falls onto its back portion. A dial lock means is also provided for preventing the pendulum switch from being manually opened until the proper number has been dialed thereon. The device may be used in conjunction with inwardly or outwardly swinging doors, and vertically or horizontally sliding windows. Means is also disclosed for positioning the device with respect to inwardly swinging doors and horizontally sliding windows or doors.

United States Patent [19] Wagner 1541 POSITION SENSITIVE ALARM WITH MAGNETIC LATCHING PENDULUM SWITCH [76] Inventor: Robert J. Wagner, 5225 Redman [52] U.S. Cl. ..340/282, ZOO/61.45 M, 340/283 [51] Int. Cl. ..G08b 13/08 [58] Field of Search .....340/283, 282, 65; ZOO/61.52, ZOO/61.45 M, 61.45 R; 335/207 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,488,651 1/1970 Brenner ..340/283 Apr. 3, 1973 2,802,204 8/1957 Kennelly et al. ..-...200/6l.45 M

Primary ExaminerJohn W. Caldwell Assistant Examiner-Glen R: Swann, Ill

Att0rneyZarley, McKee 8L Thomte [57] ABSTRACT An alarm device sounds an audio alarm when it is moved to a predetermined position. The alarm includes a magnetic latching pendulum switch which is normally open but which is closed to energize the alarm when the device falls onto its back portion. A dial lock means is also provided for preventing the pendulum switch from being manually opened until the proper number has been dialed thereon. The device may be used in conjunction with inwardly or outwardly swinging doors, and vertically or horizontally sliding windows. Means is also disclosed for positioning the device with respect to inwardly swinging doors and horizontally sliding windows or doors.

5 Claims, 19 Drawing Figures PATENTEUAPM 1975 saw 1 OF 2 Awawne Z M04 rAm/r Q/VEKS POSITION SENSITIVE ALARM WITH MAGNETIC LATCI-IING PENDULUM SWITCH CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This is a continuation-in-part application of Ser. No. l42,894'filed May 13, 1971.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The great increase in the number of burglaries has caused home owners and apartment dwellers much concern. Many types of burglar alarms or alarm devices have been previously designed but they are quite expensive and not very versatile. In other words, the devices can only be used in a single type of environment such as a door that swings inwardly or the like. The conventional alarm systems are not adapted for use with doors that swing outwardly nor are they well suited for vertically sliding windows or horizontally sliding doors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The alarm device of the pending application represents a substantial improvement over the prior alarm devices. The instant invention provides an improved switch means for the alarm device and a dial lock means which must be rotated to the proper position in order for the magnetic latch and pendulum switch to be opened which is necessary to stop the alarm from sounding.

It is a principal object of this invention to provide an improved alarm device.

A further object of this invention is to provide an alarm device which is actuated only when the device is moved to a predetermined position.

A further object of this invention is to provide an alarm device which is extremely versatile.

A further object of this invention is to provide a portable security alarm which is economical of manufacture.

A further object of this invention is to provide an alarm device which signals a warning when a door or window is opened.

A further object of this invention is to provide an alarm device which also may be used in purses or brief cases.

A further object of this invention is to provide an alarm device which is durable in use.

A further object of this invention is to provide an alarm device having a magnetic latching pendulum switch provided thereon.

A further object of this invention is to provide an alarm device having a magnetic latching pendulum switch thereon and means for locking the same.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an alarm device which is attractive in appearance.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

This invention consists in the construction, arrangements, and combination of they various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the device of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the device positioned adjacent an inwardly swinging door:

FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating the device being used in conjunction with a door that swings outwardly:

FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating the device being used with a vertically movable window:

FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating the manner in which the device may be positioned adjacent an inwardly swinging doorz' FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the device:

FIG. 7 is a sectional view seen along line 77 of FIG. 6:

FIG. 8 is a top view of the device with a portion thereof cut away to illustrate the manner in which the device may be rotated and used in conjunction with a horizontally sliding door or the like:

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of the electrical circuitry of the device:

FIG. 10 is a front view of a modified form of the invention:

FIG. 11 is a sectional view seen along lines lI-l l of FIG. 10:

FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view seen along lines l2-l2ofFIG. ll: 1

FIG. 13 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 11 except that the device is shown to be falling onto its back portion:

FIG. 14 is a rear view of the cover as seen along lines l4-14 of FIG. 11:

FIG. 15 is a sectional view similar to FlG. 11 except that the dial lock has been moved to its off position:

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary front view of the device as seen along lines l6-16 in FIG. 15:

FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 14 except that the dial lock has been rotated to its predetermined combination:

FIG. 18 is a front plan view of the disc portion of the dial lock; and

FIG. 19 is a rear plan view of the dial member portion of the dial lock.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The alarm device of this invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-9 is referred to generally by the reference numeral 10 comprising generally housing members 12 and 14 which are detachably secured together by any convenient means such as by screws or the like. For purposes of description, the device 10 will be described as having a front portion 16, back portion 18, top portion 20, bottom portion 22, and side portions 24 and 26.

A battery 28 is mounted in the device as best illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 and has its terminals electrically connected to leads 30 and 32 as illustrated in FIG. 7. Lead 30 is electrically connected to one side of a manually operated switch 34 while lead 32 is connected to electrode 36 of a mercury switch 38. Electrode 40 of switch 38 is electrically connected to a buzzer or other suitable audio signal means 42 by lead 44. Lead 46 connects the buzzer 42 with the other side of the switch 34. As seen in FIG. 7, the electrodes 36 and 40 comprise elongated wires which are disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the switch 38. The. mercury 48 in the switch 38 does not complete the circuit between electrodes 36 and 40 unless the device is moved to a predetermined position as will be explained in greater detail hereinafter. The longitudinal axis of the switch 38 is disposed obliquely with respect to the front and back portions of the device. The components in the device are mainvtained therein by any suitable means such as a cardboard support plate or the like.

Front portion 16 has a plurality of vertically disposed slots 50 formed therein as best illustrated in FIG. 1. Thumb button 52 of switch 34 extends through one of the slots 50 as also illustrated in FIG. 1 to permit the switch 34 to be opened and closed as desired.

Bottom portion 22 comprises bottom members 54 and 56 which are angularly disposed with respect to each other as illustrated in the drawings. Bottom member 54 is also angularly disposed with respect to the plane of the back and front portions. An anti-slip element 58 is secured to bottom member 56 adjacent the back portion 18 and protrudes slightly therefrom. Side portion 26 is comprised of side members 62 and 64 which are angularly disposed with respect to each other in a manner identical to the relationship of the bottom members 54 and 56.

The normal method of operation is as follows. The switch 34 is initially closed by means of the thumb button 52. The buzzer 42 will not be activated until the device is substantiallyresting on its back portion 18 due to the relationship of the mercury 48 and the electrodes 36 and 40. If the device is going to be used with an inwardly swinging door 66, it is placed closely adjacent the inside surface of the closed door 66 as illustrated in FIG. 2 so that bottom member 56 rests on the supporting surface 68. Inward opening movement of the door 66 causes the door to engage the device and the center of gravity of the device causes it to fall onto its back portion 18 thereby causing the'mercury 48 in the switch 38 to flow to the end of the switch so as to complete the circuit between the electrodes 36 and 40.

Completion of the circuit between the electrodes 36 and 40 by the mercury 48 causes the buzzer 42 to be energized. If the alarm is going to be used with an outwardly swinging door 70 such as illustrated in FIG. 3, it is positioned so that it leans against the inside surface of the closed door 70 with the anti-slip element 58 preventing the device from slipping away from the door. If the door 70 is opened, the device falls onto its back portion 18 thereby causing the mercury 48 in the switch 38 to flow to the end of the switch so as to complete the circuit between the electrodes 36 and 40. Completion of the circuit between the electrodes 36 and 40 by the mercury 48 causes the buzzer 42 to be energized.

FIG. 4 illustrates the device 10 being used with a vertically movable window 72. The device is positioned so that the anti-slip element 58 engages the upper surface of the sill 74 to maintain the device in position.' If the window 72 is raised, the device falls onto its back portion 18 thereby causing the mercury 48 in the switch 38 to flow to the outer end of the bulb and complete the circuit between the electrodes 36 and 40 to energize the buzzer 42.

FIG. 5 illustrates the manner in which the device 10 can be positioned adjacent the inside surface of an inwardly swinging door 76. It can be appreciated that it is impossible to lean the device against the inside surface of the door if that door is being used to exit from the house. The positioning of the device 10 is achieved by the utilization of a hook member 78 which is secured to the inside surface of the door 76 by any convenient means such as glue or the like. Hook element 78 includes an upwardly extending tip 80. When it is desired to leave the premises through door 26, and to position the device 10 adjacent thereto, the device is oriented as seen in FIG. 5 so that the tip 80 is received by one of the slots 50. Engagement of the tip 80 with the device at the end of one of the slots 50 permits the door to be closed as the person leaves the house with the device being pulled along behind the door as the door is closed. FIG. 5 illustrates the door in its closed position and it can be seen that the tip 80 maintains the device 10 in position. If the door 76 is opened inwardly, engagement of the door with the device causes the device to pivot from the position illustrated by solid lines in FIG. 5 in the direction of the arcuate arrow therein. The pivotal cam movement of the device 10 causes the tip 80 to disengage from the slot 50 and the device falls onto its back portion so as to energize the buzzer 42.

The device may also be used with a horizontally sliding door or window which is referred to generally by the reference numeral 82 in FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a top view of the device 10 with portions thereof cut away to more fully illustrate the invention. The device is rotated from the position as seen in FIGS. 1-5 so that it is resting on its forward edge 86 of side portion 26. The door 82 has a hook element 88 (which is identical to hook element 78) which is secured thereto and which is received by one of the slots 50 which are now horizontally disposed as illustrated in FIG. 8. Movement of the door 82 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 8 causes disengagement of the hook element 88 with the device and the device falls away from the door 82 onto its back portion 18 to energize the buzzer 42. The angular relationship of the side members 62 and 64 permits the device to fall onto its back portion as the door is opened. The oblique relationship of the switch 38 with respect to the front portion 16 and back portion 12 is such that the buzzer 42 will not be energized when positioned in the attitude of FIG. 8 but will be energized when it falls onto its back portion 18 as the door is opened. If the switch 38 were not obliquely oriented, it would not be possible to rotate the device 90 into the position of FIG. 8 without causing the buzzer 42 to be actuated.

The alarm device described herebefore and illustrated in FIGS. 1-9 of the drawings refer to the alarm device of the said co-pending application. The alarm device seen in FIGS. 10-17 is referred to generally by the reference numeral generally comprising housing members 112 and 114 which are detachably secured together by any convenient means such as by screws, adhesive or the like. For purposes of description, the device 110 will be described as having a front portion 1 16, back portion 118, top portion 120, bottom portion 122, and side portions 124 ml 126.

A battery 128 is mounted in the device as best illustrated in FIGS. 1 1, 13 and 15 and has its terminals electrically connected to leads. One lead is electrically connected to a terminal strip 133 provided on a pendulum switch means 134. A terminal strip 135 is also provided on the pendulum switch means 134 in a spaced apart relationship to the terminal strip 133 and has lead 136 electrically connected thereto which extends to the buzzer 142. The other lead is also connected to the buzzer so that the battery 128, pendulum switch means 134 (when in a closed position), and buzzer 142 are electrically connected in series.

As seen in FIG. 11, a plastic support plate 138 is positioned in the housing member 112 to provide support for certain of the components therein.

Front portion 116 has a plurality of vertically disposed slots 150 formed therein as best illustrated in FIG. 10. The slots 150 serve the same function as the slots 50 in the alarm device of FIGS. 19.

Bottom portion 122 comprises bottom members 154 and 156 which are found on the bottom of housing member 112 and bottom member 157 which is found on the bottom of housing member 114 (FIG. 15). As seen in FIG. 15, bottom members 154 and 156 are angularly disposed to each other. Bottom member 154 is also angularly disposed with respect to the plane of the back and front portions. If desired, an anti-slip element may be secured to bottom member 156 adjacent the back portion 118 similar to the anti-slip element 58 found on the alarm device 10. Side portions 124 and 126 are formed in a manner similar to the side portions 24 and 26 of the alarm device and will not be described in detail herein.

As seen in FIG. 11, a plastic support wall 160 extends rearwardly from the support plate 138 and has a flatrectangular rubberized magnet 162 mounted thereon. The terminal strips 133 and 135 are preferably comprised of a brass material and are secured to the magnet 162. A pair of spaced apart bearing elements 164 and 166 are provided on the rearward surface of support plate 138 below the wall 160 and have a shaft 168 secured thereto and extending therebetween. Pendulum 170 is rotatably or pivotally mounted on the shaft 168 as best seen in FIG. 11. Pendulum 170 includes an end portion 172 having a rubberized magnet 174 secured thereto by adhesive or the like. A thin conductor strip 176 (FIG. comprised of brass material or the like is mounted on the face of the magnet 174 and is adapted to complete the circuit between terminal strips 133 and 135 when the pendulum switch means is closed as will be described in more detail hereinafter. Pendulum 170 also includes an intermediate portion 178 which extends from the end portion 172 downwardly to the location at which the pendulum is pivoted. Pendulum 170 also includes an end portion 180 which is positioned on the opposite side of the shaft 168 and which extends through a slot 182 formed in the support plate 138. As seen in FIG. 11, the end portion 180 of pendulum 170 engages the support plate 138 at the upper end of the slot 182 when the alarm is in the vertical position and when the pendulum 170 is spaced from the terminal strips 133 and 135.

Front portion 116 is provided with a vertically disposed slot 184 formed therein below a pin 186 which extends rearwardly from the back side of the front portion 116. The numeral 188 designates a dial member having numbered indicia 190 on its exposed base portion. Dial member 188 has a hub 192 extending rearwardly therefrom which is received in the slot 184 as best illustrated in FIG. 11. The rearward end of hub 192 is provided with a plurality of spaced apart notches 194 formed therein for a purpose to be described in more detail hereinafter. The numeral 196 refers generally to a locking disc having a circular recessed area 198 formed in its forward end which receives the rearward end of hub 192. A pair of spaced apart lugs 200 and 202 are provided in the recessed area 198 for engagement with the notches 194 on the rearward end of hub 192. The numeral 204 refers to an arcuate slot formed in the disc 196 which communicates with a slot 206 which extends outwardly through the periphery of the disc. The slots 206 and 204 are adapted to receive the pin 186 as illustrated in FIG. 17. The disc 196 is press fit onto the hub 192 to maintain the dial member 188 in position. The disc 196 may be secured to the dial member 188 in predetermined fashion so that any of the numbered indicia 190 will be positioned immediately in front of the slot 206. The arrangement of the notchesl94 and the lugs 200 and 202 permit the selective attachment of the dial member 188 and the disc 196 so that various of the numbered indicia 150 do align with the slot 206. Thus, if the number 7 (FIG. 16) on the numbered indicia 190 is the pre-selected combination, the dial member 188 must be rotated until the number 7 is aligned with the indicator 208 to permit the dial member to be moved further upwardly so that the pin 186 can enter the slot 206.

When the alarm device is not going to be used, the dial member 188 is rotated until the number 7 is aligned with the indicator 208. The dial member 188 is then moved upwardly with respect to the slot 184 to permit the slot 206 in disc 196 to receive the pin 186. When the pin 186 has been received by the slot 206, the dial member 188 is then rotated to cause the pin 186 to move inwardly into the slot 204. Thus, when the dial member has been rotated so that the pin 186 is received in the slot 204, the rearwardly extending hub 210 of disc 196 engages the end portion 180 of pendulum 170 to pivot the pendulum 170 so that the conductor 174i is moved out of engagement with the terminal strips 133 and 135. If the pendulum 170 was previously in the position illustrated in FIG. 15 or if the hub 210 pivoted the pendulum 172 the position illustrated in FIG. 15, the hub 210 positively prevents the pendulum 170 from closing upon the terminal strips 133 and since the hub 210 is in the pivotal path of end portion 180.

When it is desired to use the alarm 110, the dial member 188 is rotated to cause the disengagement of the pin 186 from the slot 204 and then sliding the dial member 188 downwardly so that the pin 186 disengages from the slot 206. The dial member 188 is then rotated out of its pre-selected combination number so that the pin 186 does not register with the slot 206. It should be noted that the alarm 110 is maintained in the position illustrated in FIG. 11 during the time that the dial member 188 is being moved as previously described. The alarm device is positioned adjacent doors or windows such as that described in the use of the alarm device 10. When the alarm device 110 is positioned such as the alarm device 10 illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5, the weight of the pendulum 170 maintains the pendulum 170 in the position illustrated in FIG. 11 so that the conductor 174 is maintained out of engagement with the terminal strips 133 and 135. If the alarm device 110 should fall upon its back portion such as illustrated in FIG. 13, upon the door, window,

etc. being opened, the pendulum 170 pivots so that the conductor 174 engages the terminal strips 133 and 135 to complete the circuit therebetween thereby completing the circuit through the buzzer so that the buzzer is energized to alarm the occupants that the door, window, etc. has been opened. The magnets 162 and 174 attract each other and maintain positive contact between the conductor 176 and the terminal strips 133 and 135. Thus, if an intruder should open the door so that the alarm device 110 becomes energized, the intruder cannot quickly grasp the alarm device 110 and shake it so as to cause the disengagement of the conductor 176 from the terminal strips 133 and 135 due to the magnetic attraction of the two magnets. Likewise, the intruder cannot de-energize the buzzer 142 by moving the dial member 188 to pivotally move the pendulum 170 out of engagement with the terminal strips 133 and 135 since the intruder does not know the proper combination. If a manually operated switch (such as switch 52 of alarm device 10) were utilized, the intruder could quickly reach the alarm device and deenergize the buzzer by manually operating the exposed switch. The alarm device 110 has significant advantages over the alarm device 10 since the intruder cannot de-energize the buzzer 142 as quickly as the buzzer 42 can be de-energized in the alarm device 10. Once the buzzer 142 has been energized, the only way that the same can be de-energized is to rotate the dial member 188 to the proper number of the indicia 190 so that the pin 186 registers with the slot 206 to permit the dial member 188 to be moved upwardly so that the hub 210 engages the end portion 180 to pivotally move the pendulum 170 so that the conductor 176 is moved out of electrical contact with the terminal strips 133 and 135. Obviously, such a procedure takes a certain amount of time even if the intruder is completely familiar with the alarm device and the time necessary to align the slot 206 with the pin 186 will provide ample time for the occupants to take the necessary precau' tions against the intruder.

Thus it can be seen that the alarm device of this invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.

Iclaim: 1. An alarm device comprising, a housing having a top portion, bottom portion, and

front and back portions, a signal means in said housing, a battery means in said housing, a normally open switch means in said housing, said signal means, battery means and said switch means being electrically connected, said switch means adapted to close and energize said signal means when said housing means is disposed in a predetermined attitude, said switch means comprising, a stationary first switch element and a pendulum switch element pivotally mounted in said housing adapted to close upon said first switch element when said housing is disposed in said predetermined attitude,

and a dial member rotatably mounted on said front portion which has a hub means extending therefrom inwardly into said housing, said dial member having means on its hub means for operative engagement with said pendulum switch element so that said pendulum can be selectively maintained in its open position with respect to said first switch element.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said pendulum switch element has first and second end portions connected by an intermediate portion, said one end portion having a conductor means thereon for engagement with said first switch element, said pendulum switch element being pivotally connected to said housing between said first and second end portions, said means on said hub means of said dial member being selectively operatively engageable with said second end portion of said pendulum switch element to move said pendulum switch to said open position.

' 3. The device of claim 2 wherein said dial member is rotatably mounted and vertically movably mounted on said front portion of said housing and wherein a disc member is mounted on said hub means of said dial member in said housing, said disc member having a hub means extending therefrom which may be positioned so as to be in the pivotal path of said second end portion, said disc member having a first slot formed therein extending radially inwardly into the periphery thereof, and a second arcuate slot formed in said disc member inwardly of the periphery thereof having vone end thereof communicating with said first slot, a pin means extending from said housing adapted to be received by said first slot when said dial member has been rotated to a predetermined position thereby permitting said dial member to be vertically moved to move said hub means of said disc member in the pivotal path of said pendulum switch element second end portion.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein the position of said pin means and said first slot is such that said dial member cannot be vertically moved unless said dial member is rotated to said predetermined position to cause said disc member hub means to engage said second end portion of said pendulum switch element to move said pendulum switch element to its open position.

5. An alarm device comprising,

a housing having a top portion, bottom portion, and

front and back portions,

a signal means in said housing,

a battery means in said housing,

a normally open switch means in said housing,

said signal means, battery means and said switch means being electrically connected,

said switch means adapted to close and energize said signal means when said housing means is disposed in a predetermined attitude,

said switch means comprising,

a stationary first switch element and a pendulum switch element pivotally mounted in said housing adapted to close upon said first switch element when said housing is disposed in said predetermined attitude,

said first switch element comprising, first and second spaced apart terminal strips, said pendulum switch element having a conductor means thereon adapted to engage both of said terminal strips to close the switch means when said housing is moved to said predetermined attitude. 

1. An alarm device comprising, a housing having a top portion, bottom portion, and front and back portions, a signal means in said housing, a battery means in said housing, a normally open switch means in said housing, said signal means, battery means and said switch means being electrically connected, said switch means adapted to close and energize said signal means when said housing means is disposed in a predetermined attitude, said switch means comprising, a stationary first switch element and a pendulum switch element pivotally mounted in said housing adapted to close upon said first switch element when said housing is disposed in said predetermined attitude, and a dial member rotatably mounted on said front portion which has a hub means extending therefrom inwardly into said housing, said dial member having means on its hub means for operative engagement with said pendulum switch element so that said pendulum can be selectively maintained in its open position with respect to said First switch element.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said pendulum switch element has first and second end portions connected by an intermediate portion, said one end portion having a conductor means thereon for engagement with said first switch element, said pendulum switch element being pivotally connected to said housing between said first and second end portions, said means on said hub means of said dial member being selectively operatively engageable with said second end portion of said pendulum switch element to move said pendulum switch to said open position.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein said dial member is rotatably mounted and vertically movably mounted on said front portion of said housing and wherein a disc member is mounted on said hub means of said dial member in said housing, said disc member having a hub means extending therefrom which may be positioned so as to be in the pivotal path of said second end portion, said disc member having a first slot formed therein extending radially inwardly into the periphery thereof, and a second arcuate slot formed in said disc member inwardly of the periphery thereof having one end thereof communicating with said first slot, a pin means extending from said housing adapted to be received by said first slot when said dial member has been rotated to a predetermined position thereby permitting said dial member to be vertically moved to move said hub means of said disc member in the pivotal path of said pendulum switch element second end portion.
 4. The device of claim 3 wherein the position of said pin means and said first slot is such that said dial member cannot be vertically moved unless said dial member is rotated to said predetermined position to cause said disc member hub means to engage said second end portion of said pendulum switch element to move said pendulum switch element to its open position.
 5. An alarm device comprising, a housing having a top portion, bottom portion, and front and back portions, a signal means in said housing, a battery means in said housing, a normally open switch means in said housing, said signal means, battery means and said switch means being electrically connected, said switch means adapted to close and energize said signal means when said housing means is disposed in a predetermined attitude, said switch means comprising, a stationary first switch element and a pendulum switch element pivotally mounted in said housing adapted to close upon said first switch element when said housing is disposed in said predetermined attitude, said first switch element and said pendulum switch element having a magnet means thereon which causes said pendulum switch to close upon said first switch element when said housing is moved towards its said predetermined attitude and which yieldably maintains said pendulum switch element in said closed position, said first switch element comprising, first and second spaced apart terminal strips, said pendulum switch element having a conductor means thereon adapted to engage both of said terminal strips to close the switch means when said housing is moved to said predetermined attitude. 